NCAA Finals: Knights bid to become kings; Lions fight for life

By Waylon Galvez

Games Friday (Mall of Asia Arena Pasay City)

1 p.m. – Lyceum vs San Beda (Jrs)

3 p.m. – Awarding Ceremony

4 p.m. – Letran San Beda vs (Srs)

Four years ago, Knights on a mission went off and slew a pride of ferocious Lions in NCAA Season 91. Now their descendants face a similar enemy – wounded but far more dangerous than its vanquished predecessor.

Letran hopes to capitalize on its opening win in the NCAA Season 95 Finals when the new edition Knights look to deliver the coup de grace against the three-time defending champion San Beda Red Lions in Game 2 of the best-of-3 series Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

In renewing their rivalry, Letran drew first blood with a nail-biting 65-64 victory last Tuesday, positioning itself within a win of clinching its 18th NCAA crown in the senior’s division.

Letran coach Bonnie Tan said everything in Game 2 will depend on how well they counter San Beda’s expected adjustments.

“Dapat ready kami sa mga gagawin nila, makapag-adjust kami agad,” said Tan, who got some coaching assistance during the opener from ‘super friends’ Alfrancis Chua, NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio and Columbian Dyip mentor Jhonedel Cardel.

Like in Game 1, expect them to be present again in Thursday’s match alongside PBA governors Rene Pardo of Magnolia, Erick Arejola of NorthPort and Bobby Rosales – a Letranite – of Columbian.

PBA chairman Ricky Vargas and telecommunications tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, a Bedan, meanwhile, will be at the Lions’ line of scrimmage.

The game between the Knights and the Red Lions is set at 4 p.m. right after the league formally hands out the top individual awardees, including the Most Valuable Player plum, to Calvin Oftana of SBU at 3 p.m.

In the schools 2015 title match, Letran also won the opener 94-90, but San Beda tied the series with a 68-61 before the Knights eventually prevailed 85-82 in the winner-take-all.

Red Lions coach Boyet Fernandez said he believes they have what it takes to come back again.

“It’s going to be a big test on our character,” said Fernandez. “We know that it’s going to be tough, but I know my players, they are very determined. We just have to keep believing, keep pushing.”

While breaks of the game went to Letran’s side in the final stretch of Game 1, its defense disrupted San Beda’s offensive flow that forced them to take hurried shots resulting to 26-of-86 (30.23%) shooting from the field, including 6-of-40 (30.23) from the three-point area.

Jerrick Balanza said they should have a mindset of going all out to win the championship, and not let San Beda force Game 3, which if necessary, will be played Tuesday at the same venue.

“Sana makuha na namin,” said Balanza, who was a rookie during that title run of Letran in 2015. “That’s why ganun ka-importante na manalo sa Game 1 ng series, isang panalo na lang ang kailangan namin.”

Balanza, now a graduating player alongside four others in Bonbon Batiller, Tom Olivario and Christian Balagasay, said that it’s a matter of executing on both ends – or doing the things that clicked for them in Game 1.

“Siyempre andun yung momentum. Pero importante magawa namin yung pinagagawa sa amin ng mga coaches. Follow the system and stay focused kami,” said Balanza, who didn’t play half of the elimination round and playoffs last season after a brain surgery.

Fran Yu, the hero in Letran’s last two wins, including the game against Lyceum during the stepladder playoffs that propelled the Knights back to the Finals, will again anchor the offense. Frontline help will come from the troika of Larry Muyang, Jeo Ambohot and Ato Ular.

San Beda, for its part, will rely on Oftana, Evan Nelle, Filipino-Canadian James Canlas-Kwekuteye and Cameroonian center Donald Tankoua.

In the junior’s division, San Beda guns for its 24th overall championship versus Lyceum of the Philippines University at 1 p.m. after the Red Cubs won Game 1 94-80 against the Junior Pirates.

Source: Manila Bulletin